Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge: Pets, hot cars are a killer combination

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Oak Ridge Police Department Logo

Every year, the Oak Ridge Police Department receives numerous calls about pets left in parked cars during hot weather.

People may believe that a quick stop will not harm their pet. However, in those few minutes, the temperature in the car can reach 115 degrees on an 85 degree day, even with the windows cracked.

Dogs and cats cool themselves by panting and by releasing heat through their paws. On summer days, the air and upholstery in a vehicle can heat up to high temperatures that make it impossible for pets to cool themselves. [Read more…]

Guest column: D.A.R.E. graduates 395 students

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DARE Logo

By Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Mark Whaley

The 2013/2014 Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program finished its instruction at the end of the school year. A total of 395 students successfully completed the curriculum. Each student earned a certificate of completion and was awarded a special D.A.R.E. T-shirt as an award.

For the first time, we were asked to start D.A.R.E. classes at the Clinch River Community School, where we introduced the program to the fifth and sixth grade students. The primary focus of this year’s D.A.R.E. classes was peer pressure and how important it is to make good choices. [Read more…]

White House Maker Faire: High school team with ET ties competes with cutting-edge 3D

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White House Maker Faire 3D Exhibitor

Photo courtesy WhiteHouse.gov

From WhiteHouse.gov

A high school team with East Tennessee ties, including in Oak Ridge, was among the exhibitors and honored “makers” at the White House Maker Faire on Wednesday.

The team includes Fletcher Blue, 17, of Hardin Valley Academy FIRST RoHAWKtics Team 3823 in Knoxville; Joshua St. John, 33, a teacher in New York, N.Y.; and Scott Turner, 48, 3D Systems of Venice, Calif., and Knoxville. They received mentoring help from Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Here is more information about the team’s project: [Read more…]

Learn more about first-ever White House Maker Faire

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Tom Beehan

Tom Beehan

Madeline Rogero

Madeline Rogero

UT, Oak Ridge, Knoxville participating

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Mayors from the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities, including MAC Chair Dayne Walling, mayor of Flint, Mich.; founding MAC Chair Virg Bernero, mayor of Lansing, Mich.; and Mayor Kevin Smith of Anderson, Ind., will participate today with President Barack Obama in the first-ever Maker Faire to be held at the White House.

MAC mayors, who have been enthusiastic supporters of the Maker Movement to democratize access to high-tech tools for all innovators and makers in their communities, will join Obama and scores of entrepreneurs and industry leaders to highlight a “nationwide day of making” across the country. This event at the White House is intended to increase awareness of the great potential for boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing, in the same way that the Internet and cloud computing lowered the barriers to entry for digital startups, creating the foundation for new products and processes that can help to revitalize American manufacturing.

Oak Ridge, Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee are participating. Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero have both been designated Maker Mayors. [Read more…]

Mayor Beehan represents Oak Ridge at White House Maker Faire

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Tom Beehan

Tom Beehan

Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan is representing Oak Ridge at the White House Maker Faire today (Wednesday). It’s part of the Mayors’ Maker Challenge, which the Oak Ridge City Council approved at the June 2 Council meeting.

Here’s an e-mail about it from the White House:

Tune in to the White House Maker Faire!

We’ve got another big first happening at the White House (Wednesday, June 18) and our guests are making a lot of things besides history.

President Obama will celebrate innovators, entrepreneurs, and tinkerers of all ages from across the country at the first-ever White House Maker Faire. [Read more…]

Obituary: Katherine R. Dillon

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Katherine R. Dillon, age 93, of Oak Ridge passed away on June 11, 2014, at Greenfield Senior Living Facility.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Otho Dillon. They were among some of the original residents of Oak Ridge and charter members of the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge. Katherine worked at Kimball’s Jewelry Store in Downtown Oak Ridge for many years.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Kay and Kamel Makar, and Mary and Carl Lyster; her son and daughter-in-law Doug and Pat Dillon; and five beloved grandchildren. [Read more…]

Pet of the Day: Spot

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Pet of the Day: Spot

Submitted

Why did they call me Spot? Because I am Spot-ON! I’m a fun puppy, maybe four months old, very trainable, and just an all around happy dude!

Wanna play? I am ready! I came in on the 20th and want the heck outta here NOW! I’m fun 🙂

The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s located at 395 Belgrade Road in east Oak Ridge. The phone number is (865) 425-3423.

See the Animal Shelter’s website here. You can also find more information on adoptable animals at the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on this Facebook page.

City Council to have mid-year election in July to fill board, commission vacancies

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The Oak Ridge City Council will have a mid-year election on July 14 to fill vacancies on municipal boards and commissions.

The Oak Ridge City Clerk’s Office started accepting applications on June 2. To be considered, applicants must be Oak Ridge residents and complete an application by noon Friday, June 20, 2014. Late applications will not be considered.

The boards and commissions with vacancies include Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Oak Ridge Housing Authority, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Senior Advisory Board, and Traffic Safety Advisory Board.

Visit the city’s website for more information.

Tickets on sale for the Free Medical Clinic’s Atomic Blast

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Submitted

Tickets are now on sale for the Atomic Blast, Oak Ridge’s one-of-a-kind fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, or FMCOR. The fun-filled event is set for Saturday Aug. 16, in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church located at 327 Vermont Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The evening will include dinner, dancing to live music, as well as live and silent auctions, and a Celebrity Dance Contest. Stay tuned to find out who our celebrity contestants will be! Included with wine and beer for purchase will be the new “Atomic Blast Signature Drink.” Dress is casual, but attendees are invited to get all decked in neon colors!

Tickets are $60 and can be purchased on line at www.fmcor.org. Click on the Atomic Blast tab. They are also available at the FMCOR office located at 116 East Division Road (behind Zaxby’s) in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Democrats host picnic at Gibbs Ferry Park on Saturday

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Anderson County Democrats

Anderson County Democrats are pictured at a picnic in June 2012. (Submitted photo)

The Anderson County Democratic Party and Democratic Women’s Club will host an annual picnic from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 21, at Gibbs Ferry Park.

All who are interested are invited to bring family an friends, join the festivities, and meet Democratic candidates seeking office in upcoming elections, a press release said. Hot dogs with condiments and cold drinks will be provided.

“Please bring a side dish, chips, or dessert to share,” the release said.

Gibbs Ferry Park is on Highway 61 between Oak Ridge and Clinton, along the river. The park has a covered pavilion with picnic tables, a boat ramp, and fishing pier.

ETEC call for nominations: 2014 Muddy Boot Award, Postma Young Professional Medal

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The East Tennessee Economic Council is now accepting nominations for the 2014 Muddy Boot Award and Postma Young Professional Medal.

In 1973, the founders of ETEC (then the Roane Anderson Economic Council or R-AEC) created the Muddy Boot Award to reflect the efforts of the Manhattan Project founders of Oak Ridge, who worked through adverse conditions to build the community. Each year since, ETEC has honored individuals or groups of people who have continued to help build and bolster the community’s economic base. The award has been presented to elected officials, business leaders, representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, and others.

The 2013 recipients included Bill Biloski, redevelopment project manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Ray Smith, historian at Y-12 National Security Complex; and Barry Stephenson, chief executive officer at Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, or MCLinc.

The objective is to recognize an individual—not an institution—for significant and long-term contributions to the East Tennessee region with respect to the federal government programs and its spin-offs by leveraging the federal presence to create private sector jobs. Participation in the community beyond the workplace is essential. [Read more…]

ORAU awards 2014 Pollard Scholarships

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Oak Ridge Associated Universities has awarded five William G. Pollard Scholarships of $2,500 each for undergraduate studies in the 2014-2015 academic year. The recipients of this year’s scholarships are Cody Cheatwood, Rachael Dreistadt, Bailey Kitts, Savannah Moua, and Sarah Tucker.

Each year, ORAU awards these scholarships to employees’ children who display exceptional achievements in their high school or undergraduate studies. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended, three references (at least two of which must be from teachers), and a 500-word essay describing the student’s professional and personal interests.

Below are additional details on each of this year’s winners: [Read more…]